New Multifunctional Natural Biomaterials Based on ZnO Nanoparticles and Polysaccharide Gums Obtained by Green Synthesis

Zinc oxide plays a crucial role across various industries thanks to its wide-ranging properties, which become even more effective when produced at the nanoscale. However, growing environmental concerns have driven the search for greener methods of obtaining this material. Nanomaterials synthesized using raw plant materials offer great potential for biomedical applications, thanks to their nanoscale dimensions, high surface area, biocompatibility, and favorable physical and chemical characteristics. Moreover, these materials are cost-effective, readily accessible, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable. In this regard, herbal gums are widely utilized across various applications because of their exceptional traits, including high stability, viscosity, adhesive and emulsifying capabilities, and notable surface activity. A simple and environmentally friendly synthesis method was developed for the production of ZnO nanoparticles, utilizing three naturally derived polysaccharide gums—acacia gum, guar gum, and xanthan gum—for biomedical applications. Each of these gums acts as a stabilizing and reducing agent, contributing to the efficient formation of ZnO nanoparticles while also enhancing their biocompatibility and functional properties. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles using polysaccharide gums was validated through FTIR, XRD, thermal analysis, SEM, Raman, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. ZnO is a notable semiconductor known for its wide band gap and high exciton binding energy, all while being non-toxic. Its impressive characteristics, including excellent thermal and mechanical stability, biodegradability, strong room-temperature luminescence, and inherent antibacterial activity, make it highly versatile. As a result, ZnO finds applications across a broad spectrum of fields such as catalysis, piezoelectric devices, chemical sensing, the paint and cosmetics industries, the food sector, and various biomedical uses. ZnO nanoparticles exhibit notable antimicrobial activity, primarily due to their capacity to disrupt bacterial cell walls. Additionally, they can induce the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and facilitate the release of metal ions within cells, both of which contribute to their strong antibacterial effects.